Shelf supporting means



April 2, 1935. R, F HOWELL l SHELF1 SUPPORTING MEANS Filed Jan. 13, 1933ATTORNEY drawn from the upright. It will be noted that my brackets notonly enable bolts to be eliminated but also permit the adjustment ofshelves without any work on the exterior of the frame or withdrawal ofany parts therefrom, the brackets being readily shiftable within theframe from one position to another. 1

It will further be seen that my brackets effectively reinforce theshelving and framework. In prior practice, wherein the shelves weresecured to the uprights by bolts or clips, it has frequently been foundnecessary to provide specialreinforcement members in the ends of theshelves. It has been ascertained in this connection that buckling of the.shelves ismost likely to occur in the end portions thereof between theuprights. Through my invention, however, the need for specialreinforcingmembers is obviated since the brackets extend between theuprights, and the ends of the shelves rest upon'the brackets. Standardshelves are also frequently provided with return flanges extendinginwardly from their flanges for reinforcing purposes, but such returnflanges may be omitted when my invention is employed.. Furgether, andthat the rigidity of the framework isincreased with increase of theweight applied to the brackets. The extended bearing between the legs 9and theY uprights I contributes substantially to the prevention ofweaving. From Fig. 3 it will also be seen that the edge of each legportionfS adjacent' the asociated flange l" further serves to limitrelative movement between the bracket and frame, and it will beapparentV that' the space between said edge and said flange may be assmall as desired; as, for example, by increasing the width of the leg 9.

In the embodiment illustrated, the brackets are shown as of suchdimension that when the studs thereof are engaged with a pair of holes 2in adjacent uprights, the shelf supported thereon is in the sameposition as though bolted to the holes immediately above the holesengaged by said studs. The relation of the shelf to the holes aforesaidmay, of course, be varied if desired. Also, if desired, the shelves atthe top and bottom of the uprights may be bolted thereto in thecustomary manner, and the intermediate shelves supported from theuprights through my brackets 1. Any desired number of intermediateshelves may, of course, be provided depending upon the 'height of theuprights and spacing of the holes 2.

The terms andexpressions which I have employed are used as terms ofdescription and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the useof such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize thatvarious Amodifications are possible within the scope of the inventionclaimed.

1. Shelving supporting means comprising a y pair of angle uprightshaving apertures therein,

bracket means for supporting a shelf between `said uprights andcomprising a flat bar of metal bent throughout its entire widthintermediate its ends to provide a at horizontal shelf-receivingportion, said bar comprising flat portions extending upwardly anddownwardly respectively from opposite ends of said horizontalshelfreceiving portion, the downwardly extending portion aforesaidbearing with its flat side against a side of theassociated angleupright, said downwardly extending portion having a projection engagingone of the said apertures in the associated upright, the portion of saidprojection received in said aperture being of less width than saidaperture, and said projection having an extension adapted tooverlie aportion of the upright adjacent said aperture, said downwardly extendingportion further projecting below said projection for engagement with aside of said angle upright below said aperture and opposite that engagedby theextension of said projection.

2. Shelving` supporting means as defined by claim 1, wherein saidapertures are round holes with its flatjside against a sideV of saidangle upright, a projection from said vdownwardly extending portion ofsaid element engaging one of said apertures and provided with anextension adapted to overliea portion of theupright adjacent saidaperture,.-said downwardly extending portion further projecting belowvsaid projection for engagement with a side of said angle upright belowAsaid aperture and opposite that .engaged by the extensiontof saidprojection.

4. Shelving supporting means comprising a Vpair of angle uprights having`apertures therein,

bracket means for supporting a shelf between said uprights, said meanscomprising downwardly extending members parallel to said uprights andcontiguous thereto, each of saidmembers being formed of metal bentthroughout its entire width intermediate its ends 'to provide a flathorizontal shelf-receiving portion, each of said members also comprisingflat portions extendving upwardly and downwardly respectively fromopposite ends of said horizontal shelf-receiving portion, the downwardlyextending portion aforesaid bearing with its flat side against a side ofthe associated angle upright, said downwardly extending portion having'aprojection engaging one of the said'apertures in the associated upright,the portion of 'said projection received in said aperture being of lesswidth than said aperture,'and said projection having an extensionadaptedv to overlie Va portion of the upright adjacent said aperture,said downwardly extendingiportion further projecting below saidprojection for engagement with a side of said vangle Vupright below saidaperture and opposite that engaged by the extension of said projection.

' REGINALD F. HOWELL.

